Johnny Yungut Tjupurrula

BIOGRAPHY

Tjupurrula’s painting often depicts designs associated with the soakage water site of Tjutalpi, east of the Kiwirrkura Community. In mythological times a large group of Tingari Men passed through this site during their travels north to Lake Mackay. Since events associated with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret nature no further detail was given.

Johnny was born circa 1930 near Tjungimanta, north-east of Kiwirrkura. Johnny’s family lived a nomadic life and traveled between the Kiwirrkura Community & Lake MacKay. In the 1950’s Johnny and his wife moved to the Balgo community further north. Johnny has become a well-known artist from the Warlayriti Artists Group.

In 1957 Johnny met Donald Thompson, north of Lake McKay, and as a result featured in the book ‘Bindibu Country’. Johnny moved to Haasts Bluff, and then Papunya Tula in late 1959 when it was established. He commenced painting for Papunya Tula Artists in 1997, and now lives at Kiwirrkura.